Published August 24, 2011 08:34AM
40-year-old San Francisco businessman, undertook the swim as a way to fundraise for children’s literacy.
Jamie Patrick emerged from the Sacramento River soggy but triumphant after propelling himself on a 31-hour, 111-mile charitable journey.
“All in all, I feel pretty good. I’m very excited to be done,” said the ultraswimmer and triathlete, amid the cheers of sponsors, spectators and loved ones who greeted him when he reached the Tower Bridge at about 7:15 p.m.
“I had a difficult night, and didn’t think I’d get through it, but here I am. It was a pretty magical swim,” said Patrick, sunblock smeared across his ruddy face.
His meandering Sacramento River trek took him from Princeton, Calif. – a tiny town in Colusa County – to the Old Sacramento waterfront.
Before the ordeal, his team had projected that he would climb out of the river early in the afternoon on Aug. 20.
During the overnight leg, Patrick fought off indigestion and refused to quit. When he reached Verona in Sutter County, his wife, Terry, was ferried out to him, which buoyed his sinking spirits.
Patrick, a 40-year-old San Francisco businessman, undertook the swim as a fundraiser for Buena Vista Auxiliary, which promotes literacy for schoolchildren. His wife said she has volunteered there for the past five years.
Read more: Centre Daily